Do I need anti virus software?

[Jivejimmy]

Recently I received notice that there had been several attempts to send email faxes from my mac book pro. No one with physical access to the computer would have or could have sent them. Have I been hijacked? Any help would be appreciated.

[harryb2448]

There are no MAC OS X viri. Having said that, if you are using Windows through BootCamp or some other program, the partition will need protection and the best free program available is Microsoft Security Essentials.

Safe internet browsing practices is the best defense.

[Collin Bl]

Currently i have been using the Mac for 7 years with no virii protection and never had a problem.
As Harry says - safe surfing does the trick.

[toMACsh]

Recently I received notice that there had been several attempts to send email faxes from my mac book pro.

Notice from where? How did it arrive? What did it look like? What did it recommend that you do about it?

it could be a false alert designed to sell you something you don't need.

[maggen85]

Notice from where? How did it arrive? What did it look like? What did it recommend that you do about it?

it could be a false alert designed to sell you something you don't need.

Agreed - it's highly unlikely that this is a virus, so I wouldn't be terribly worried.

[DaFlake]

Not unlikely at all, it simply isn't a virus.

[malicho]

my computer gets that alert all the time when i accidentally press the E-mail Fax button on the front of my canon scanner.

[blackmac11]

don't worry about viruses for the mac, and remember that you and you only are in control. Be smart about what sites you visit and what links you follow. If you can stay away from illegal torrents/scam sites, you'll be golden

[toMACsh]

Not unlikely at all, it simply isn't a virus.

Um, assume you mean not likely at all. However, the OP did not indicate if Windows is also installed....

[DarkestRitual]

Your computer isn't infected if you're running OS X. That's not to say someone hasn't hijacked your email account. Choose better passwords.

[anonymous]

Now hold on. I think that a lot of you don't realize that there are viruses for Mac OS X.

That said, it sounds like your computer has become part of a botnet if it is sending stuff without you telling it to. What exactly is it sending?

[Sawday]

Now hold on. I think that a lot of you don't realize that there are viruses for Mac OS X.

And where exactly in that article does it say that there are viruses for Mac OS?

[bobtomay]

Now hold on. I think that a lot of you don't realize that there are viruses for Mac OS X.

I think you should go read that again if you think that article says anything about there being any virii in the wild that can affect OS X.

[blackmac11]

And there is a difference between getting access to the computer and actually installing something on it. You need to put in a system password if you wish to change anything that can alter the core system.

[anonymous]

And where exactly in that article does it say that there are viruses for Mac OS?

I think you should go read that again if you think that article says anything about there being any virii in the wild that can affect OS X.

And there is a difference between getting access to the computer and actually installing something on it. You need to put in a system password if you wish to change anything that can alter the core system.

My bad. I meant this. Macs still have a lot more vulnerabilities at any one time than Windows has, typically and the fact that Mac users feel like they are invulnerable means that if you can get the right combination of social engineering and programming you can infect a Mac. Not that it really matters, because I doubt there are as many people who will put in the effort when they can put less effort for Windows. Still something to be aware of if you use a Mac that you should still practice common sense safe browsing habits.